12.25
StandardRead Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Apprentice Handicap
- Prize money: £3716.14
- 0m 7f 1y
- Class 5
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat AW
Surface: Polytrack
Weather: Partly cloudy
6/1 (Won)
- Win: £6.50
- Place: £2.00
Form: 8-2516 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 9st 4lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 62
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 (10) |
13th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 7f 1y Class 6 |
10st 1lb |
C&D win last October off 2lb lower; had a wind operation prior to his seasonal return in June; two solid efforts this year and he's one to consider. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 1 (3) |
20th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 31y Class 6 |
10st 2lb |
Added to his two turf wins when finishing well to score on AW at Lingfield (7f) last October; hasn't hit the same level in two subsequent runs but he returned after wind surgery with a fair third in a Class 4 at Salisbury (7f, good) last month; looks worth another try at this trip and he's in the mix on this drop back in grade. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 8 (8) |
14th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 0m 6f 213y Class 4 |
8st 8lb |
Successful in Class 6 over C&D and Class 5 on AW last term; had wind surgery since final outing; needs to prove he can cope with this higher grade on reappearance but market support should be heeded. |
8/1 |
6/1
- Place: £1.60
Form: 145515 C
Last run: 17 days
W: 9st 12lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 70
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 (3) |
4th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 7f 1y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Two wins and several solid efforts in defeat round here, all over 1m (won over 7f on the turf course last summer); back on her last successful mark and is one to consider under Donagh Murphy, who has plenty of experience for 5lb in this company. |
5/1 |
|
4th 3 (1) |
29th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 0m 7f 0y Class 5 |
10st 0lb |
Six-time winner, including twice on Polytrack at Lingfield, and her first two runs of the campaign were encouraging; below that level on turf last time but she is the type to bounce back. |
12/1 |
13/2
- Place: £2.10
Form: 059361 CD
Last run: 39 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 8 (2) |
25th Aug 2026 Standard 1m 0f 1y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
Seven of his eight wins have been on the AW, the most recent coming at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last November off a 3lb higher mark; shaped as if in form when seventh of 12 there in a 0-80 in March but he's been absent since; considered. |
10/1 |
|
7th 12 (9) |
30th Mar 2026 Standard 1m 1f 104y Class 4 |
8st 10lb |
Seven wins on the AW; consistent in the main and ran okay over the 8.6f here ten days ago, leaving the impression that this longer trip is worth another go. |
14/1 |
|
4th 3 (5) |
20th Mar 2026 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Seven times an AW winner, twice over C&D; back to his last winning mark and Jack Mitchell takes over from a 7lb claimer; one to take seriously. |
4/1 |
12/1
Form: 654675 C
Last run: 28 days
W: 8st 11lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 55
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 (9) |
24th Aug 2026 Good 0m 6f 210y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Three-time course winner who remains consistent despite his age; recent strike-rate isn't great but he's down to 0-55 for the first time since returned to turf and Billy Loughnane is an obvious plus. |
7/1 |
|
4th 5 (5) |
6th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 216y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
Largely consistent 9yo who ended a lengthy losing run when dead-heating at Lingfield (7f, AW) in February and comes here after a pretty good second at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month; suited by this track; likely contender. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 5 (6) |
20th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 31y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Won at Lingfield (7f, AW) in February and runner-up at Southwell (1m, AW) and Bath (1m, firm) in the spring; still looks on a workable mark but his form nosedived at Brighton last time and he needs to bounce back; one of three runners for Tony Carroll. |
10/1 |
5/1
Form: 443511 CD
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 60
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 (7) |
24th Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 216y Class 6 |
9st 5lb |
Course specialist who landed his sixth win on this track earlier this month, in a C&D classified; beaten at odds-on over 7f here 24 hours later but will be more at home back over 1m and must be on the shortlist. |
11/4 |
|
3rd 4 (2) |
6th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 210y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
8yo who has worked his way back into form this season and he won a 1m classified here yesterday under Molly Gunn, which was his sixth course win; strong claims under 4lb penalty if running again today. |
9/4 |
|
1st 5 (7) |
5th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 216y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Gained five of his 11 wins at this track; not at best in three handicaps since returned to turf in June but was only beaten about 2l when fifth of seven at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last time and is strong interest in this lower grade and with cheekpieces refitted. |
7/2 |
7/2
Form: 612521 CD
Last run: 11 days
W: 9st 1lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 59
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 (8) |
18th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 7f 1y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
C&D winner, but held at this level in her last two starts and needs to get back on track. |
8/1 |
|
4th 3 (8) |
8th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 6f 1y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Dual Polytrack winner but she has an overall strike-rate of 3-38 and has been beaten 5l or more in her last five runs; has a change of headgear but she needs to raise her game back in trip. |
10/1 |
|
5th 3 (4) |
22nd Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Won similar event here on AW in 2024; also took 6f course handicap last June and was well on top in Chelmsford handicap (7f, AW) in October; was struggling when last seen in the spring, however, and a two-month break will need to have recharged her batteries. |
9/1 |
10/1
Form: 411428 C
Last run: 46 days
W: 9st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 (8) |
31st Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 113y Class 5 |
10st 0lb |
Career-best effort when making all up the rail at Lingfield (7f, good) in June; not so good since and his five runs on ground slower than good have seen him finish unplaced. |
10/1 |
|
4th 3 (1) |
6th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Returned from a break with an all-the-way win under James Glennon at Lingfield (7f, good) in June and he's fine at 1m; however, he's finished merely seventh on his last two starts and has to raise his game. |
20/1 |
|
7th 7 (11) |
24th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Eight-time winner (7f/1m) at a lower level, including when he comfortably made all at Lingfield (7f, good) at the start of last month; 50-1 when he made no impact in this grade at Sandown three weeks ago, however. |
20/1 |
4/1
Form: 003141 D
Last run: 11 days
W: 9st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 62
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 (6) |
23rd Aug 2026 Good 0m 6f 210y Class 4 |
8st 8lb |
Four C&D wins to his name, the latest in June off 4lb lower; an easy lead would seem unlikely and this opposition may prove too demanding. |
16/1 |
|
8th 3 (4) |
14th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 3y Class 5 |
10st 1lb |
Front-runner who is probably best known for his exploits at Brighton; won there (7f, good to firm) in June and was placed from favourable draw at Chester (7f, good) last month but finished well down the field when last in action and might find others better treated. |
10/1 |
|
11th 12 (8) |
24th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Likes to get on with it and he registered the latest of his six wins when making all in five-runner Brighton handicap (7f, good to firm) last month; went off too quickly next time but his third at Chester was a solid effort two weeks ago; same mark and this is tougher, though. |
16/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £28.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £25.04 |
| Tricast | £124.84 |
| Trifecta | £186.60 |
Selections
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Ernie's Valentine